NZ Mountain Film Festival 2015 ¬ Something for everyone

NZ Mountain Film Festival 2015 ¬ Something for everyone

The NZ Mountain Films Festival offers something for everyone. The foundation of the festival is the international film competition; the award winners and best films make up the programme across the 9 days. The film line-up includes fast paced adrenaline packed adventures but also the story of the cultural and physical environments in which these adventures take place. The programme is packed with adventure films, workshops, the new ‘Mountain Books’ event, competitions and adventure schools. The schedule is designed to entertain, involve and inspire the audience of all interests through adventure.

The programme groups several films into a specific category and sessions can be purchased for between $10 and $37. Action packed sessions include, the Adrenaline Session, Ski and Snowboard Adventures, Adventure Films and the Bike, Kayak and Fly Show. ‘Across The Ice’ by USA Director Sebastian Copeland epitomises the adrenaline and adventure genre. In 2010, Copeland and partner Eric McNair-Landry crossed 2300 kilometers of the Greenland ice sheet on skis and kites. They braved a blizzard lasting one week in a small tent and set a world record for the longest distance travelled in a twenty-four hour period.

Filmmakers and adventurers have a keen sense of their environment, the people in remote lands that they come into contact with and the unique cultures of the places they like to explore. Many films capture meaningful insights of the people and places in which adventures take place. The Environmental shows, Mountain Culture and Nature and the Environment show off up world-class cinematography in this often moving and memorable category. The winner of a special Jury Award and a film featuring in the Mountain Culture show is ‘Tashi and the Monk’. This touching film follows former Buddhist monk Lobsang who left life as a spiritual teacher in the United States to create a unique community in the Himalayas that rescues orphaned children. Directors Andrew Hinton & Johnny Burke capture the story of 5 year-old Tashi, the newest arrival, struggling to find her place amongst 84 new siblings. This is a moving film that offers a deeper look into mountain communities and culture.

As well as a variety of film categories the festival involves an array of mediums through which adventure is celebrated and shared. Rippon Hall will host the inaugural ‘Words and Wine’ event where authors Lydia Bradey, Mal Law, Derek Grzelewski, Paul Hersey and Paul Maxim will read excerpts from their books. Each piece of writing is grounded in adventure and common themes throughout include determination, insight, ambition and a keen sense of exploration. The festival is privileged to have gathered such an esteemed set of writers for the first ‘Words and Wine’ afternoon. The first 50 people can enjoy a complimentary glass of Rippon wine and the writers will be available for book sales and signings before and after the show.

This year the festival is proud to have formed such a broad approach to sharing mountain adventure. The programme includes educational hands-on workshops, filmmaking, writing and photography schools, art exhibitions and walks and of course world-class films and speakers. The line up is designed to provide something for everyone. Programmes can be picked up at Wanaka Paper Plus and viewed online at the festival websitemountainfilm.net.nz.

ENDS

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